Barb Powell

CHHSM Members and Partners Step Up to Help Sponsor The Gathering

By Barb Powell | March 11, 2026

The Gathering: Many Gifts, One Story is now just days away, and the excitement is building for the 500 people who will be in attendance at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis March 24-26, 2026.  The event presents a unique opportunity for participants to network with ecumenical colleagues from Mennonite, Methodist, Presbyterian, Quaker, and United Church of…

Isaiah 58 Ministries Celebrates New Location with Ceremonial Groundbreaking

By Barb Powell | March 11, 2026

Local, regional, and national dignitaries joined Isaiah 58 Ministries in St. Louis Feb. 24, 2026, for the ceremonial groundbreaking of its new location in the Dutchtown neighborhood of South St. Louis. The ceremony was the culmination of four years of hard work and reflection by Isaiah 58 Ministries’ board of directors and Executive Director the…

Nollau To You Helps Cape Albeon Leadership Team Learn Skills, Renew Community

By Barb Powell | March 11, 2026

A recent CHHSM Nollau To You retreat with CHHSM member Cape Albeon, an EverTrue (formerly Lutheran Senior Services) community in Valley Spring, Mo., brought respite and an opportunity to re-engage and think in new ways about serving leadership. Held Feb. 24, 2026, at Cape Albeon’s retreat cabin in the bluffs of the Merimac River in…

The Gathering to Feature Consecration of CHHSM’s Nollau Institute Class as Diakonal Ministers

By Barb Powell | February 12, 2026

One of the highlights of The Gathering: Many Gifts, One Spirit—which takes place March 24-26, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis—will be the recognition and consecration of this year’s graduating class of CHHSM’s Nollau Leadership Institute. The culminating event of the year-long Nollau program takes place Wednesday evening, March 25, at 5 p.m. at…

Former RHF President and CEO Joseph Dies at 87

By Barb Powell | February 12, 2026

UCC minister and affordable housing advocate the Rev. Dr. Laverne R. Joseph, 87, has died. The former president and CEO of Retirement Housing Foundation (RHF) passed away Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, after complications from a fall. Joseph, who led RHF for 33 years, received numerous accolades throughout his life for his justice work in the…

Enrollment Opens for Nollau Leadership Institute Class of 2027

By Barb Powell | February 12, 2026

Enrollment is currently open for the 2026-2027 class of CHHSM’s Nollau Leadership Institute. The signature health and human service leadership program has graduated some 300-plus participants as Diakonal Ministers in the past 20 years. The year-long Nollau program helps class members discern their call as Diakonal Ministers. A vocation for health and human service leaders from…

Early Bird Registration Open for The Gathering

By Barb Powell | January 13, 2026

Early bird registration is now OPEN for The Gathering: Many Gifts, One Spirit, to be held March 24-26, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis. With the theme, “Many Gifts, One Spirit,” The Gathering will draw some 500 leaders from Mennonite, Methodist, Presbyterian, Quaker, and the United Church of Christ related health and human service associations for three days…

Bishop Named Vice President; McKenzie is Associate for Business Operations

By Barb Powell | January 13, 2026

The UCC’s Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM) is pleased to announce that Matthew Y. Bishop is its new vice president and chief operating officer (COO). He began work Dec. 15, 2025. Additionally, CHHSM welcomed Cynthia McKenzie in November 2025 as its new associate for business operations. Matt Bishop “CHHSM is excited to…

New Health and Human Service Sunday Resources Focus on Good News Expressed in the Ordinary

By Barb Powell | January 13, 2026

The UCC Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM) recently released resources for Health and Human Service Sunday, which takes place Jan. 25, 2026, the Third Sunday after Epiphany. The resources help UCC churches, CHHSM members, and friends bring the message of serving leadership and support for all health and human service workers to their local congregations and worship…

Puentes de Esperanza, un programa de Hoyleton, organiza dos iniciativas para apoyar a clientes inmigrantes en el sur de Illinois

By Barb Powell | December 12, 2025

Special thanks to Hoyleton Youth and Family Services Puentes de Esperanza’s Patricia Merz and Edda Berti for this translation of the feature story into Spanish. The translators worked with a slightly earlier version of the story. La ayuda de Hoyleton Youth and Family Services en Fairview Heights, Illinois, beneficia a clientes en todo el sur…

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